Submersible electric heater



G. S. CAMPBELL AND4). A. SOMMERMEEER.

SU BM ERSIBLE ELECTRIC HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 192i. I

' Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

INVE TOR 2 SHEETSSHEEI I a AT RNEY G. S. CAMPBELL AND O. A. SOMMERMEYER.

SUBMERSIBLE ELECTRIC HEATER.

1,437, APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, I92I. NOV. 28,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENT R8 4 A ORNEY.

Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

UNITED STATES 1,437,166 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE S. CAMPBELL AND OSCAR A. SOMMERMEYER, OF PASSAIC, JERSEY.

SUBMEBSIBLE ELECTRIC HEATER.

Application filed September 2, 1921. Serial Io. 497,851.

To all whom it my concern Be it known that we, GEORGE S. CAMPBELL heating element, which covering at the same,

time serves to provide for a considerable transmission of heat so that a large heating surface is presented, which not only saves time in heating the water, but in consequence thereof is inexpensive to operate.

The invention consists in ceitain details of construction which will be hereinafter more fully described and finally embodied in the claims. 7

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top view of the heater with parts thereof broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction. Figure 2 is a side view of the heater, and Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 33 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view of the heater element and the layers immediately surrounding it, and Figure 5 is a section of the conductor attached to the device and usable as a handle. Figure 6 is a horizontal section through one-corner of the heater, and Figure 7 is a section on the plane indicated byline 7-7 in Figure 6. Figures 8 and 9 are detail views of an electrical connection.

The heater element is substantially centrally placed in the heater and comprises a core 10 which is usually made of mica and around which the resistant wires 11 are wound, thus forming a heater element which has placed directly above and below it plates 12 of micaor similar material and is also flanked by plates 13 of mica, these platesl2 and 13 being extended to project a considerable distance beyond the heater element. Outside of these mica. plates 12 are sheets 14 of asbestos, and fiankin 14 are plates 15 made 0 iron or similar material to give rigidity and strength, all the elements so far described constituting the enclosed or inside unit of the heater, the

the asbestos sheets parts being held together by screws 16 which pass down through the layers above described at separated points, usually toward the edges thereof, as will be clearly seen from F gure 1, so that a unitary structure is provlded, these layers being recessed suflicientl to permit the passage of the conductors 1; which project from the interior unit and through the encasing part of the heater, as will be hereinafter described, these conductors passing closely together from one end.

Around this interior unit, and of a thickness equal to the assembled plates and sheets, is a packing 18 of loose asbestos, and enveloping the plates and this packing is a sleeve 19, usually made of thin metal, such as copper, this copper sleeve being made substantially flat to receive the interior unit and its packing of loose asbestos, and projecting beyond so as to receive the head on each end, these heads each being made up of a bar 20, usually of iron, which fits within the ends of the sleeve 19, and with a shell usually made of cast brass, this shell '22 being suitably secured to the bar by means such as the screws 23, the shell being spaced from the bar so as to receive the ends of the sleeve to make a. tight closure, the heads being connected by tie-bars or screws 24 which extend from one end to the other of the heater and provide means for drawing these heads toward each other to force the heads tightly against the sleeveso that the ends of the sleeve are well seated in the space provided between the bar and the shell, these tie-bars or screws 24 passing through the loose asbestos on either side of the interior unit of the heater.

One of the heads is provided with a boss 25 through which the conductors 17 pass, the boss 25 being provided with a waterproof fiexible armor 26 which receives and protects the conductors 17 and forms a water-tight covering therefor and also forms a handle for handling the heater, and can be provided with suitable means for suspending the. device from a hook or the like, such suspending device being typified by the ring 27 shown in Figure 1.

To permit the device to lie fiat, and to permit a free circulation of water around it so that all its surface is available for heating, I provide the heads, preferably the shell element thereof with feet 28, these being usually placed at each end at each head, so that four feet can be rovided to hold the heater slightly raise from the heavy.

surface on which'it rests, as willjbe clearly evident from'l igures 2, 3 and 7.

This heater is easily handled and provides an extensive surface for heating, so that in a 'l'ewmoments water placed in a bath tub suiiicient for a bath canbc. heated, thus localizing the heating and overcoming the loss of heat due to passage through pipes when such heater is located at a point distant frorn' thepoint of use. The structure provides a water-tight closure for the heating element and the heater is 110* Within the heater'the' connection between the conductors l7 and the ends of the resistance wires 11 is accomplished by means of the structure shown in Figures 8 and 9, and

- a positive electrical connection is assured without the use of solder and the connection does not come apart nor will it burnout, as is often the case with welded and similar connections. In this form the core of the conductor, which is usually made of fine strands, has the insulation removed from the desired length of the end of it and the end of the resistance wire is wound around it as shown in ltigure 8, and the end of the conductor 17 is bent over and then the sleeve 11 of easily bendable metal, usually cylin-" drical in form, is slipped over this joint as so prepared, and then stamped so as to pro vide on both sides a series of indentations 30 so that the sleeve is held against removal 6.; excessively said heads havingrecesses into which projecting ends of the: sleeve fit, and means for drawing the heads toward each other.

2. A submersible heater comprising a heating element and enclosing plates all secured together to form a unitary structure, a sleeve of substantially flat shape for receiving the structure, heads on the ends oi said sleeve, said heads having recesses into which projecting ends of the sleeve fit, a loose filling between the sides of the heating structure and the sleeve and heads, and tie-rods passing at the sides of the interior structure and connecting said heads, whereby said heads can be drawn toward each other.

3. A submersible heater comprising a heating element and enclosing plates all secured together to form a unitary structure, a sleeve of substantially flat shape for receiving the structure, heads on the ends of said sleeve, said heads having recesses into which projecting ends of the sleeve lit, a loose filling between the sides of the heating structure and the sleeve and heads, tie-rods passing at the sides of the interior structure and connecting said heads, whereby said heads can be drawn toward each other, and feet secured to the heater so that it can, be supported horizontally above the bottom of a receptacle. i

4. A submersible heater comprising a heating element having thin sheets of material for holding it in position, rigidplates above and below said positioning sheets, means for securing said rigid plates together so as to form a unitary structure, a sleeve of substantially flat shape for receiving the structure, heads on the ends of said sleeve, said heads having recesses into which projecting ends of the sleeve lit, and means for drawing the heads toward each other.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing,

we have hereto set our hands, this 15thday of August, 1921.

' GEORGE S. CAMPBELL.

OSCAR ApSOMIMERMEYER. 

